Article criticism: Financial managers with ethical stress and competition in an increasingly crowded market Financial managers with ethical stress Financial stress and pressure can be a factor of ethical stress , such as requesting special treatment; Budget involvement and political pressure can make financial managers believe they are under stress. “Financial managers do not work in an ethical vacuum; they respond to supervisors who encourage ethical action and to colleagues who demonstrate high standards of personal integrity” (Gerald, Samuel & Rabin, 2005). Whether they are good or bad, they are put in a precarious situation by their peers because money is always a temptation. Additionally, being responsible for managing money puts pressure on the position held by money managers. Generally, when it comes to money, there is a need for perfection and impartiality. Unfortunately there is a demand that special treatment is needed, especially from people outside their actual unit. for particular treatments within your work unit. This stems from the idea that others can exploit their friendships or close working relationships. “Public managers engage in certain financial activities in work environments that produce ethically stressful situations caused by undue political pressure and demands for special treatment” (Gerald, 2005). While yes, relationships need to be nurtured, they also need to be selfish and specifically targeted only at the company. Financial managers are constantly forced to choose between making fact-based, unbiased decisions and fostering relationships without opening themselves up to be used. Part of the pressure comes from the political influence exerted by financial managers. “Their dependence on political actors for work is something that is a realization today. Companies are merging and also reducing the employment pool, making the position of the CFO precarious. The competition is so high that it means that every financial manager must play a perfectly balanced political game with very strategic work related to ethical guidelines. Reference page: Alpert, H. (1999). Managers' round table: Competitive advantage; three managers discuss the competition in an increasingly crowded market. Investment Banking Marketing, , 1-37. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/209375253?accountid=32521 Gerald, J. M., Samuel, J. Y., W, B. H., & Rabin, J. (2005). How financial managers deal with ethical stress. Public Administration Review, 65(3), 301-312. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/197178039?accountid=32521